45 Intriguing Quotes by Emily Dickinson

That it will never come again
Is what makes life so sweet.Poem 1741: That it will never come again

Parting is all we know of heaven,
And all we need of hell.Poem 1732: Parting is all we know of heaven

If I can stop one heart from breaking,
I shall not live in vain;Poem 919: If I can stop one Heart from breaking

My friends are my estate. Forgive me then the avarice to hoard them!Letter to Mr. Samuel Bowles (Late August, 1858?)

Forever — is composed of Nows.Poem 624: Forever — is composed of Nows —

Truth is such a rare thing, it is delightful to tell it.Letter to Mr. Thomas Wentworth Higginson (August, 1870)

Success is counted sweetest
By those who ne’er succeed.
To comprehend a nectar
Requires sorest need.Poem 67: Success is counted sweetest

Saying nothing, sometimes says the Most.Letter to Mrs. Joseph A. Sweetser (late January, 1874)

I dwell in Possibility —Poem 657: I dwell in Possibility —

“Hope” is the thing with feathers —
That perches in the soul —
And sings the tune without the words —
And never stops — at all —Poem 254: Hope is the thing with feathers —

There is no Frigate like a Book
To take us Lands away
Nor any Coursers like a Page
Of prancing Poetry —
This Traverse may the poorest take
Without opress of Toll —
How frugal is the Chariot
That bears the Human soulPoem 1263: There is no Frigate like a Book

Fame is a fickle food
Upon a shifting platePoem 1659: Fame is a fickle food

Because I could not stop for Death —
He kindly stopped for me —
The Carriage held but just Ourselves —
And Immortality.Poem 712: Because I could not stop for Death —

Luck is not chance —
It’s Toil —
Fortune’s expensive smile
Is earned —Poem 1350: Luck is not chance —

A word is dead
When it is said,
Some say.

I say it just
Begins to live
That day.Poem 1212: A word is dead

Unable are the Loved to die
For Love is ImmortalityPoem 809: Unable are the Loved to die

[Dogs] They are better than beings because they know, but do not tell.Letter to Mr. Thomas Wentworth Higginson (April 26, 1862)

Where Thou art — that — is Home —Poem 725: Where Thou art — that — is Home —

Best Grief is Tongueless — before He’ll tell —
Burn Him in the Public Square —Poem 793: Grief is a Mouse —

Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —Poem 1129: Tell all the Truth but tell it slant —

A wounded Deer — leaps highest —Poem 165: A wounded Deer - leaps highest -

Beauty — be not caused — It Is —Poem 516: Beauty — be not caused — It Is —

Dying is a wild Night and a new Road.Letter to Perez Cowan (October, 1869)

Love — is anterior to Life —
Posterior — to Death —
Initial of Creation, and
The Exponent of Earth —Poem 917: Love — is anterior to Life —

The Soul selects her own Society —
Then — shuts the Door —
To her divine Majority —
Present no more —Poem 303: The Soul selects her own Society —

Finite — to fail, but infinite to Venture —Poem 847: Finite — to fail, but infinite to Venture —

If I read a book and it makes my whole body so cold no fire can ever warm me, I know that is poetry. If I feel physically as if the top of my head were taken off, I know that is poetry. These are the only ways I know it. Is there any other way?Letter to Mr. Thomas Wentworth Higginson (August, 1870)

In such a porcelain life, one likes to be sure that all is well, lest one stumble upon one’s hopes in a pile of broken crockery.Letter to Mr. Samuel Bowles (late August 1858?)

I argue thee
That love is life —
And life hath Immortality —Poem 549: That I shall love alway —

Life is a spell so exquisite that everything conspires to break it.Letter to Louise and Frances Norcross (late April, 1873)

Nature is a haunted house — but Art — a House that tries to be haunted.Letter to T. W. Higginson (1876)

Even the possible has its insoluble particle.Letter to Mr. Thomas Wentworth Higginson (September 26, 1870)

“Faith” is a fine invention
For Gentlemen who see!
But Microscopes are prudent
In an Emergency.Poem 185: Faith is a fine invention

To live is so startling, it leaves but little room for other occupations.Letter to Mr. Thomas Wentworth Higginson (Late, 1872)

One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted —
One need not be a House —
The Brain has Corridors — surpassing
Material Place —Poem 670: One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted —

Death is a Dialogue between
The Spirit and the Dust.Poem 976: Death is a Dialogue between

Enough is so vast a sweetness, I suppose it never occurs, only pathetic counterfeits.Letter to Mr. Thomas Wentworth Higginson (September 26, 1870)

Ourself behind ourself, concealed —
Should startle most —
Assassin hid in our Apartment
Be Horror’s least.Poem 670: One need not be a Chamber — to be Haunted —

Who has not found the Heaven — below —
Will fail of it above —Poem 1544: Who has not found the Heaven — below —

The brain — is wider than the Sky.Poem 632: The brain — is wider than the Sky

Shame need not crouch
In such an Earth as Ours —
Shame — stand erect —
The Universe is yours.Poem 1304: Not with a Club, the Heart is broken

Portraits are to daily faces
As an Evening West,
To a fine, pedantic sunshine —
In a satin Vest!Poem 170: Portraits are to daily faces

How strange that Nature does not knock, and yet does not intrude!Letter to Mrs. F.S. Cooper (1877)

Witchcraft was hung, in History,
But History and I
Find all the Witchcraft that we need
Around us, every Day —Poem 1583: Witchcraft was hung, in History

I find ecstasy in living; the mere sense of living is joy enough.Letter to Mr. Thomas Wentworth Higginson (August, 1870)